Eagle Tip - Party Time Times Two

Most Eagle courts of honor are followed by a cake-and-punch reception, often held in the same room or just down the hall. Such receptions give guests a chance to meet and greet and to offer personal congratulations to the new Eagle Scout.

For one of our troop's Eagle Scouts, one reception wasn’t enough. His family held a second reception at their home the weekend after his Thursday court of honor. While some of us attended (and enjoyed!) both receptions, the second was specifically aimed at out-of-town family, school friends, and others who couldn't attend the court of honor.

For another court of honor, we did basically the opposite thing. This honoree had a number of out-of-town guests on hand, so his family held a dinner right before his court of honor. (It was held in another part of the church building, which ensured that everyone was on time to the ceremony.)

Having a family dinner or a second reception lets more people celebrate a young man’s achievements while keeping the troop-sponsored reception relatively simple and inexpensive. And since they are clearly separate, family-sponsored events, they don't set a precedent that the troop or future Eagle families have to follow.